Album Review – Tennessee Jet’s “Ranchero”

The name will probably be familiar to independent country fans. Whether you’ve seen it ascribed as TJ McFarland, or his stage name Tennessee Jet, he’s a primary member of the songwriting collective in the orbit of Cody Jinks, helping to pen the songs of the country music revolution. Jinks might be the performer of the current Saving Country Music Song of the Year called “What You Love,” but Tennessee Jet shares in that accolade as the song’s co-writer.
Even more important when it comes to mailbox money is Tennessee Jet’s co-write with John Jeffers of Whiskey Myers on the now Platinum-certified song “Bury My Bones.” Tennessee Jet offers his own version of the song on his new album Ranchero, which features nine country rock songs that vary from the poetically eloquent, to the politically polarizing, to the patently entertaining.
“Tennessee” might be in his name, but it’s how his home base in Oklahoma puts him in close proximity to both Texas and the Tulsa scenes that makes him a good on-call collaborator. Oklahoma is the setting for some of the songs of Ranchero, including the opening song “The Oklahoma Rose” profiling an intriguing female character. Ray Wylie Hubbard is from Oklahoma too, and he gets a whole song named after him, and one that reminds you so much of The Beatles’ “Come Together,” it can only be taken as a tribute.
Tennessee Jet can write a song with the best of them when he wants to. That’s why he’s found so many suitors in the writing room. He proves his talents unarguably with the new song “Poetry in Blood.” What he’s also proven over multiple albums now is that he sings what he wants to sing. The world may not need another version of Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train,” especially from someone known for writing original songs. But TJ supplies one anyway, because that’s what TJ wants to do.

TJ also says what he wants to say, ramifications be damned. Though he calls himself apolitical, as is not uncommon with some who claim this alignment, some of his songs clearly code to the right. That was definitely the case with 2023’s “2+2,” which got him in trouble with Tulsa’s iconic club The Mercury Lounge. They canceled one of his shows over the song. On Ranchero it’s the song “From The River To The Sea” that is sure to have some crying foul, even if the opinions forwarded are more heterodox then they might sound at first, at least compared to “2+2.”
Tennessee Jet has never really shown an allegiance to a sound, or an approach, or even a genre. Ranchero might be his most cohesive expression yet, and it’s still sort of all over the place. At times its more rock, at other times it’s country, and at times it’s both. His writing can be both involved and heady, and at other times plainspoken. What becomes evident by the end of Ranchero is that Tennessee Jet has no master plan. He’s not trying to become the next superstar. He’s just following his passions wherever they take him, even if they lead him places that leave some listeners behind.
You can’t help but respect Tennessee Jet’s honesty, his integrity to himself, and his passion. Ranchero touches a range of emotions unlike the monotone songwriter records that have become all the rage in the Zach Bryan era. For some, Tennessee Jet will continue to remain as polarizing as some of the subjects he broaches (ask Jason Isbell how that goes). But he isn’t censoring himself for anybody, or bending to anyone’s idea of what they want him to be.
7.8/10
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January 31, 2025 @ 9:18 am
Cool version of Runaway Train by Soul Asylum. that’s definitely a rock song. Jason Isbell was wrong about there not being good conservative song writers.
January 31, 2025 @ 9:26 am
to paraphrase Kinky Friedman, this guy sounds like kind of a schmuck.
January 31, 2025 @ 10:06 am
Ok, why?
January 31, 2025 @ 10:16 am
Oh yes, here comes a legit rebel. Middle finger up, kick ass songs pumping out and no F’s are given along the way. I’m listening now. Thanks for the tip Trig.
January 31, 2025 @ 10:44 am
I like it. Nothing excited me too much but it’s a pretty good album.
His cover of Waymore’s Blues is awesome. Check that out, if you haven’t.
January 31, 2025 @ 12:23 pm
Second his Waymore’s Blues cover, Cody Jinks and him turn it into an epic rock song. Definitely not something a traditionalist would like but boy does that song get you moving! … I swear that Tennessee Jet is Jack White’s long lost brother! Ha…. They look so similar.
January 31, 2025 @ 12:47 pm
Jason Isbell living in your head rent-free. Very telling how you commend TJ for “not censoring himself” but deride Isbell for not censoring himself.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:02 pm
I don’t think Jason does much for free anymore. Teeth aren’t cheap.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:07 pm
It doesn’t seem like you understand how rent works. Which makes sense since you probably still live in your mom’s basement.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:10 pm
Relax, it was just a joke. It’s Friday, man, let’s get those positive vibes going. I climbed out of the basement today and was just amazed at the outside world. You should try it too.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:15 pm
Might have been funnier if the joke had been funny, but, hey, you do you.
As for me, when I get home this evening, I’m dropping the needle on “The Complete Dirty South” and getting a little crispy.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:51 pm
I love the remastered tracks, Putting people on the Moon is always relevant, especially today. Enjoy that tonight.
Ps. Glad you got outside
January 31, 2025 @ 1:34 pm
I don’t recall ever telling Jason Isbell he should censor himself. I have, however, pointed out that Jason Isbell telling people who think differently from him to not listen to his music removes these people from his audience, and thus, censors his songs from people who sometimes could benefit from hearing them, and the perspectives that he shares. That seems like a self-defeating action.
January 31, 2025 @ 1:59 pm
You’ve been very consistent in your Isbell stance. That is my biggest gripe with him, too. He has the bridge but doesn’t want to extend it. Being a southern man who got to see the world and one of the best songwriters on earth gives him a unique ability to reach those folks who wouldn’t typically hear messages like that. Instead, he needs enemies to function, as do many other folks in this country. I have never understood this mindset, and I view it as a clear sign of narcissism.
January 31, 2025 @ 4:13 pm
I remember his song about Johnny Horton a few years ago; Ray Wyllie, like that one, sounds nothing like the musician it’s named after but I like them.
I like his political songs, even if I have a slightly different take; I’m a bit more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than this song would seem to be but I think it’s nuanced. Actually I’m a fan of both him and Ademe the Artist, who are polar opposites but have somewhat similar voices.
January 31, 2025 @ 5:17 pm
Tennessee Jet has a great voice.
January 31, 2025 @ 6:08 pm
That Ray Wylie Hubbard track sounds to me like plagiarism of The Beatles’ Come Together.
January 31, 2025 @ 7:58 pm
Wife walked in while I was listening. First thing out of her mouth: “Who’s that ripping off the Beatles?”
February 1, 2025 @ 11:14 am
Yes the cadence of the verse vocal is nearly identical to Come Together. But the slide guitar, the chorus, the chord progression etc is all different. I could see how someone who isn’t a fan of him might use this as a cry of plagiarism.
Reality is I doubt he gets sued. Musicians borrow, copy and steal all day everyday, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. Even the greats in music do it. Most of the lawsuits you hear about are in the minority. The Led Zeppelin one was to my ears ehhhh….much ado about nothing, chord progressions and the ascending or descending note sequences are all used over and over and over. You can play most of western pop music with the same 4 chords in the same order.
Every blues lick , every Chuck Berry lick ever written is used over and over all the time.
To TJs credit, it’s still an original song, lyrics all unique.
February 1, 2025 @ 9:20 pm
He’s ripping off Choctaw Bingo which was written by James McMurtry and recorded by Ray Wylie.
February 2, 2025 @ 3:57 am
I felt Choctaw bingo heavy here as well.
February 2, 2025 @ 8:55 am
Ripping off?! Really?
First off, hats off to you for finding the connection. I love Ray Wylie but didn’t remember Choctaw Bingo. Interesting track. McMurty and Hubbard are pals so no surprise he covered his buddy’s song.
Are we gonna accuse McMurtry of plagiarism against The Beatles now? Maybe McMurtry , Hubbard and TJ should all be sued now by The Beatles publishing company? Haha…(ridiculous)
No. Not gonna happen. Clearly Tennessee Jet is PAYING TRIBUTE to a musician he admires greatly, perhaps we can deduce that by the name of the track which oddly enough is ” Ray Wylie Hubbard”. Seems to me to be a fairly common practice in music and songwriting to do that, even referencing a famous song by the artist you are paying tribute to.
But, no your probably correct, ol TJ is ” just ripping off” Ray and James hoping no one will notice! Riiiiiight.
February 2, 2025 @ 9:42 am
Update: from TJs x posting:
https://x.com/TennesseeJet/status/1856416159706370345
February 2, 2025 @ 9:47 am
Love that pic.!
It is fun, and sweet.
February 2, 2025 @ 12:16 pm
Take a chill pill. Ripped off was bad wording. Inspired by, may have been better. Upon further research, they are all derivative from the song “You Can’t Catch Me,” by Chuck Berry.
February 2, 2025 @ 12:58 pm
Fascinating. Chuck Berry. Haha. I did mention in a comment above that Berrys licks are copied over and over throughout music. Had no idea this was a Berry inspired one as well. Nice research!
January 31, 2025 @ 6:09 pm
In all seriousness, this is a great album.
January 31, 2025 @ 7:41 pm
I just checked out his twitter page. He doesn’t seem very apolitical.
February 1, 2025 @ 4:29 am
Is it pro Palestine song I don’t want to give any Spotify plays for him if it is and il need to remove the few I got from my Playlist. Thank you.
February 1, 2025 @ 6:57 am
It’s a song about Gaza, endless wars, and protesters, but it’s not pro Palestine.
February 1, 2025 @ 9:05 am
It’s definitely not a pro Palestine song.
February 1, 2025 @ 12:50 pm
Lol nice just listened based on this information. Good for him for putting this out haha.
February 1, 2025 @ 10:56 am
I enjoyed his last album and this is better. Its a good album.
February 1, 2025 @ 11:40 am
I’m digging TJ’s politics from what I’ve read and heard.
February 2, 2025 @ 12:20 am
And others of us are not.
February 1, 2025 @ 10:29 pm
I really like his stuff. Does anyone know if there are physical CDs available for this album? I’ll probably get one at some point if there is one.